Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) was developed as a treatment for refractory nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex in order to limit systemic exposure and increase amikacin uptake into alveolar macrophages at the site of infection.

In patients treated with once-daily ALIS, amikacin concentrations in sputum were much higher than in serum; systemic exposure was low at baseline and after 6 months of treatment.

Serum and urine amikacin concentrations in patients treated with once-daily ALIS were much lower than previously reported for parenteral amikacin.